Luton Town vs Middlesbrough
Friday 2nd August 2019
SkyBet Championship, Kenilworth Road
Live on Sky Sports Football HD – Kick-Off: 19:45 BST
Luton Town kick off the 2019/20 Championship season with their return to the second tier as they take on Middlesbrough at Kenilworth Road.
Last season’s League One champions are back in the Championship for the first time since 2007. Since, they’ve been to the conference and back but new manager Graham Jones’ side will be hoping to avoid relegation this term.
The Hatters have strengthened their squad with some seasoned Championship players such as Martin Cranie, Callum McManaman and Ryan Tunnicliffe. Star fullbacks James Justin and Jack Stacey have both departed for the Premier League, which has brought in some decent funds into the transfer kitty. A proven Championship striker is still very much the target in the window, whilst former Luton striker Isaac Vassell has been linked with a loan from Birmingham.
Survival is very much the aim for Jones’ men, although some are tipping them for a push into the top half of the table. Free-flowing, attacking football was the bedrock of their promotion last term and they will want to continue with that philosophy against a higher class of opponent. Their form at Kenilworth Road will be key to their ambitions. The small, compact stadium can be quite intimidating for visiting teams which could give Luton the edge in their key matches.
Middlesbrough are embarking on a new chapter after swapping Tony Pulis for Jonathan Woodgate. That change brings a new philosophy to the squad after 18 months of adapting to Pulis’ direct style. As a result, Aden Flint has been sold to Cardiff, with Woodgate preferring a much more attractive style of play.
New defender Marc Bola has joined from Blackpool and Marcus Browne will add some creativity in midfield. However, they’re still missing a talented winger to provide service for Britt Assombalonga and Ashley Fletcher. Stewart Downing has gone, as had Martin Braithwaite, whilst the club never really replaced Adam Traore who left 12 months ago.
Oliver Langford is the referee for this match. The Englishman accumulated an average booking points total of 30.6 across 42 Championship games last season. Therefore, I would recommend a maximum of 50+ booking points for this fixture.
Kenilworth Road will be rocking on Friday night and the players will match that enthusiasm on the field, no doubt. With that in mind, I think the Hatters can get something from this game.
I’m going to go for a draw, but don’t be shocked if Luton take all three points and provide an early upset in the Championship season. Luton Town vs Middlesbrough will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Football with kick off at 19:45 BST.
Prediction: Luton Town 1-1 Middlesbrough
Suggested Tips – Luton Town vs Middlesbrough – (BET365)
- Correct score – 1-1 – (link no longer available).
- First Goalscorer – Elliott Lee – (link no longer available).
Suggested Tips – Luton Town vs Middlesbrough – (SKYBET)
- Both Players to score – James Collins and Britt Assombalonga to both score – 8/1.
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Popular RequestABets – Luton Town to win, BTTS, 4+ corners each team and 20+ booking points each team – 22/1.
Markets updated/correct as off – 14:38 BST on August 2nd.
Switzerland vs England – Match Preview
Switzerland vs England
Sunday 9th June 2019
UEFA Nations League – Third Place Play-Off, Estadio D.Afonso HenriquesLive on Sky Sports Main Event – Kick Off: 14:00 BST
Switzerland vs England: Gareth Southgate is tasked with picking up England after throwing away another semi-final lead against the Netherlands when they take on Switzerland on Sunday.
It was another night of what could have been for England on Thursday night as they went down 3-1 to the Netherlands. Despite leading until the 73rd minute, Southgate’s side were once again guilty of handing the initiative to the opposition. The Three Lions dropped deeper and deeper, inviting pressure on to themselves, just as they did against Croatia a little under 12 months ago. John Stones’ inexplicable error then all-but sealed their fate, before Ross Barkley allowed Ronald Koeman’s side to add a third. England were reminded just how short they are on quality in midfield, as Frenkie De Jong ran the show, just as Luka Modric did in Russia. Jordan Henderson’s absence from the starting XI hit the Three Lions hard, whilst the absence of a true ball-playing midfielder still haunt Southgate and the FA.
Switzerland went down 3-1 to Portugal on Wednesday, with a Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick proving the difference between the two sides. Vladimir Petkovic’s side were also embroiled in more VAR controversy. After seeing their initial penalty appeal turned down at one end, Portugal broke and earned a spot-kick of their own. VAR interjected and German official Felix Brych gave the Swiss penalty on review, allowing Ricardo Rodriguez to equalise. It proved to have little impact, though, as Fernando Santos’ side ran out winners. Switzerland last faced the Three Lions in September 2018, where they came away with a 1-0 defeat. In fact, they haven’t beat the Three Lions since 1981, a run of 11 matches.
Ovidiu Haţegan is the referee for this match. The official plies his trade in the Romanian league and has officiated 29 games this season. During those matches, he has accumulated an average cards total of 4.76. Therefore, I would recommend a maximum of 60+ booking points for this fixture.
Southgate is bound to make changes following Thursday night’s defeat. It’s been a long season for most of the Three Lions contingent, so there may be further experimentation. I’ll still back them for a narrow win, though.
Switzerland vs England will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event with kick-off at 14:00 BST.
Prediction: Switzerland 1-2 England
Suggested Tips – Switzerland vs England (SKYBET)
- Correct score, England Win 2-1 – 8/1.
- Scorecast Boost (Double Chance) – Harry Kane to score first and England to win 2-1 or 3-1 – 25/1. (NB).
- Price Boost – Wilson and Sterling to both score – 13/2.
- Winning Margin – Exactly 1 Goal – England – 3/1.
- Popular RequestABets – Shaqiri & Sterling to score and Schar & Rose to be carded – 100/1. (Outsider Shout).
- Popular Player Stats RequestABets – Draw 0-0 and no booking points – 125/1.
- Player Stats RequestABets – Kane to score a header and Shaqiri to score from outside the area – 80/1. (Outsider Shout 2).
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Yes or No? – Q1 – Yes, Q2 – Yes, Q3 – No, Q4 – Yes, Q5 – Yes, Q6 – No – 40/1.Player Stats RequestABets – Kane 1+ shots on target & Shaqiri 1+ shots on target and 3+ corners each team – 6/4. (NAP).
Netherlands vs England – Match Preview
Netherlands vs England
Thursday 6th June 2019
UEFA Nations League semi-final, Estadio D.Afonso Henriques
Live on Sky Sports Main Event – Kick Off: 19:45 BSTNetherlands vs England: Two of the world’s most up-and-coming sides go head to head in Portugal, with England and Netherlands looking to make the final of the UEFA Nations League.
Gareth Southgate’s side will feel confident of success in Portugal and are the bookies’ favourite to claim silverware. The Three Lions topped a group containing Spain and World Cup semi-finalists Croatia to make it to this point. Harry Kane is expected to start for England after returning to International duty following his Champions League disappointment with Tottenham. The final was the Englishman’s first start since April, but he is expected to go up against Virgil van Dijk for the second time in five days. Jadon Sacho’s fine form for Borussia Dortmund should see him retain his spot on the right, with Premier League winner Raheem Sterling on the other flank. England’s last defeat in normal time was almost a year ago. That came again Spain in 2018, which highlights how far this group has come in that time.
Whilst England’s attack has frightened some of the best defences in the world, the Netherlands have their talismanic captain, fresh from tasting Champions League glory. Van Dijk is partnered by Matthijs De Ligt, who is also one of the most sought after men in world football. In midfield, Frenkie De Jong and Gini Wijnaldum will try to orchestrate the engine room, leaving Memphis Depay and Co to run free in attack. Whilst Ronaldo Koeman’s side didn’t make the World Cup, with De Ligt, De Jong and several other exciting talents making a name for themselves on the biggest stage, their future is looking very bright. Just like England after the 2016 EUROS, Netherlands are beginning to show shoots of recovery after a disappointing few years.
Clement Turpin is the referee for this game. The Frenchman plies his trade in Ligue 1 and has officiated 17 games this season. During those matches, he has accumulated an average cards total of 3.35. Therefore, I would recommend a maximum of 50+ booking points for this fixture.
A lot will depend on whether Sterling and Sancho can isolate the Dutch fullbacks. Whoever comes out in that battle could win the match, such is Holland’s strength in midfield and at the back. I think this one may go to extra time, with such little to separate the teams.
Netherlands vs England will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event – Kick-Off: 19:45 BST.
Prediction: Netherlands 1-1 England
Suggested Tips – Netherland vs England (SKYBET)
- Correct score, draw 1-1 – 5/1.
- Price Boost – Sterling to score first – 7/1.
- Price Boost – Sancho and Depay to both score – 16/1. (NB).
- Popular RequestABets – BTTS in both halves and 2+ corners each team in each half – 50/1. (Outsider Shout).
- Popular Player Stats RequestABets – Maguire to score a header and Depay to score from outside the area – 150/1.
- RequestABet Specials Up to 10/1 – BTTS, 4+ corners each team and 10+ booking points each team – 3/1. (NAP).